Factorial and Criterion Validities of the Chinese Version of Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale Among Undergraduate Students

Wanrong Peng,1,* You Zhou,1,2,* Jun Chu,1 Zhaoxia Liu,1 Kaili Zheng,1 Shuqiao Yao,1,3,4,† Jinyao Yi1,3,4 1Medical Psychological Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, People’s Republic of China; 2Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People’s Republic of China; 3Medical Psychological Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, People’s Republic of China; 4National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, 410011, People’s Republic of China†Prof. Dr. Shuqiao Yao† passed away on 20 January 2024*Wanrong Peng and You Zhou contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jinyao Yi, Email [email protected]: To systematically investigate the factorial and criterion validity of the Chinese version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) among undergraduate students.Methods: Altogether 1415 undergraduates completed the RSES, the Short Form of Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the factorial structure, gender invariance, and latent mean invariance of RSES. An independent t-test was employed to compare differences in MASQ-SF scores between the high- and low-level self-esteem groups, and a path analysis was performed to confirm the vulnerability model.Results: Results of Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the correlated trait-correlated method model, which includes both global self-esteem and two positive and negative factors, fits the data best (optimum model). The results of the Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analyses demonstrated that this factor structure achieved measurement invariance and latent mean equivalence across genders among university students. Independent sample t-tests revealed that undergraduates with higher self-esteem exhibited lower levels of anxiety and depression than those with lower self-esteem did. Path analysis showed that high self-esteem mitigated depressive symptoms induced by stress, thereby enhancing life satisfaction.Conclusion: The Chinese version of the RSES exhibits robust factorial and excellent criterion validity, making it a suitable tool for assessing self-esteem among undergraduate students to promote mental and physical well-being.Keywords: Rosenberg self-esteem scale, factorial structure, gender invariance, criterion validity